Civil War takes place at Century Village

Civil War Reenactment returns to Century Village

The sounds of a Confederate drum could be heard from the other side of Burton’s Century Village as Union soldiers prepared for drills.

Not all of the reenactors participating in the two-day Civil War reenactment that began May 25 were soldiers, however.

Sitting near the entrance to Century Village is Greene Leather & Fur, a sutlery selling a range of items from soldiers uniforms to other clothing from the time period to smaller items like jewelry, parasols and cartridge boxes.

Ken Greene, who runs the sutlery with his wife Elaine, said some people don’t see people performing those roles as reenactors, but they are. With his role, he gets the chance to educate people about merchants’ role during the Civil War.

Greene said sutleries were stores that would follow soldiers as they traveled from place to place during the war. They would sell uniforms, equipment, food and even alcohol—though only officers could buy whiskey, which was considered a gentleman’s drink.

At night, sutleries would set up tables for games such as cards, chess and checkers. They were places where soldiers could take their mind off the battles, Greene said.

The Greenes, who live only about four blocks from Century Village, have been running their store at reenactments for 15 years. The Burton reenactment is now they only one they attend in Ohio, but they also go to reenactments in New York and Kentucky.

Though they sell items at the reenactments, the goal isn’t to make money. They mostly hope for the store to break even and continue on their hobby. It’s a passion project.

Elaine Greene said the soldiers uniforms are ordered from Pakistan, where they can get 100 percent wool. She said she’s seen what happens with American-made

Ken Greene, who runs the sutlery with his wife Elaine, said some people don’t see people performing those roles as reenactors, but they are. With his role, he gets the chance to educate people about merchants’ role during the Civil War.

uniforms containing nylon when a musket goes off.

“It’s not pretty,” she said.

Reenactments also provide them a chance to see friends they’ve made over the years that they only get the chance to see at reenactments. Soon they’ll get the chance to see some of those friends in other states as they head off to New York and Kentucky, packing half of ton of goods in their truck with another two-tothree tons in a trailer.

Century Villages Civil War reenactment continues May 26 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A battle reenactment will be held at 1:30 p.m. throughout the village and east field. Abe and Mary Lincoln will have meet and greets from noon to 5 p.m.

ANDREW CASS — THE NEWS-HERALD Union Civil War reenactors prepare for drills May 25 at Century Village in Burton Village.

ANDREW CASS — THE NEWS-HERALD Some of the clothing items for sale at Green Leather & Fur May 25 at the Civil War reenactment held at Century Village in Burton Village.